Current Affairs - National

The Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre was inaugurated at Nathatop in Jammu & Kashmir, situated at an elevation of 2,250 meters. This location was strategically chosen due to its clean air and minimal pollution, making it ideal for high-precision climate and atmospheric studies. The centre will support advanced research on cloud formation, aerosol interactions, and weather systems. It also marked the launch of the Indo-Swiss project ICE-CRUNCH, focusing on ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei. This facility not only advances India’s role in global climate research but also supports the nation's long-term environmental and sustainability goals.

The second edition of the STREE Summit, focused on women’s safety, empowerment, and security, will be hosted by Hyderabad on April 15, 2025. Organized by the Hyderabad City Security Council (HCSC), this summit aims to address key issues such as gender equality, safety challenges, and the promotion of a culture of respect and empowerment. The event will feature expert speakers, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops to develop actionable solutions for improving women's safety and fostering long-term gender equality in society. The summit’s collaborative approach brings together a diverse range of stakeholders to drive meaningful change.

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI), introduced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, utilizes 435 indicators to evaluate the performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across India. These indicators span nine Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) themes and are intended to provide a comprehensive framework for assessing rural governance and development. By recognizing over 77,000 high-performing Panchayats, the initiative not only celebrates achievements but also fosters a competitive spirit among local governing bodies. The use of such a broad set of indicators ensures that the assessment is robust, data-driven, and effective for guiding policy and planning at the grassroots level.

The "India Skills Accelerator" is a joint initiative launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF). This partnership aims to bridge the existing skill gaps and prepare the Indian workforce for emerging high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence and robotics. By fostering collaboration, enhancing awareness, and strengthening institutional frameworks, the initiative is designed to align workforce skills with future industry demands. WEF's involvement plays a crucial role in bringing global expertise and best practices to support India's vision of a future-ready workforce.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a new Aadhaar-based face authentication feature for generating and activating the Universal Account Number (UAN) via the UMANG app. This advancement is part of EPFO’s efforts to simplify and modernize the user experience. The face authentication method provides a secure and contactless way for users to activate their UAN using Aadhaar-linked credentials. Additionally, EPFO is planning to expand this technology to help pensioners submit their digital life certificates through the Jeevan Pramaan portal, further promoting ease of access and digital governance in employee and pensioner services.